NIH-funded research R01 grant

PACC1 in the body’s defense against bacterial infections and sepsis

Official title: PACC1 in host defense against bacterial infections and sepsis

Funded at Boston University Medical Campus · NIH-11368037 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A study exploring how a protein called PACC1 helps immune cells fight bacteria and prevent sepsis, with potential benefits for people at risk of severe infections.

More Sepsis research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBoston University Medical Campus
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project startJuly 7, 2026
Project endMarch 31, 2028
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$1,618,716
NIH project number1R01HL181357-01A1
Project IDNIH-11368037 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates are patients with bacterial infections or sepsis risk factors, and individuals who could provide insights through samples or future clinical trials.

Less likely to help

Patients without bacterial infections or sepsis may not directly benefit from this basic mechanistic study.

What this research studies

This project looks at how tissue-resident macrophages and other white blood cells use phagocytosis to control bacterial infections and how the PACC1 channel influences this process. Researchers will examine PACC1’s role in helping phagolysosomes work properly to kill bacteria in mice and human cells, especially during sepsis and pneumonia models. The work builds on preliminary findings that PACC1 affects sepsis risk and inflammatory responses, aiming to uncover why some individuals struggle to clear infections. By understanding PACC1’s function, the study may point to new strategies to reduce organ damage and mortality from bacterial sepsis.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new approaches to prevent or treat sepsis by boosting the body’s ability to clear bacteria.

How similar studies have gone: Prior studies show that PACC1 influences macrophage function and infection outcomes in animal models, suggesting the approach is promising but still exploratory.

Where this research is happening

  • Boston University Medical Campus
    Boston, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Bosmann, Markus — Boston University Medical Campus
  • Study coordinator: Bosmann, Markus

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.